Fist Ball

Source: Games For The Playground, Home, School And Gymnasium
Category: BALL GAMES



_6 to 30 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium; parlor._

_Volley ball; basket ball; gas ball._

This game is very similar to Volley Ball, but differs from that
game in the fact that the ball is hit with the fist instead of
the open hand; that the ball may bound on the ground; and that
the general rules are simpler. For large numbers two balls may
be used, as described at the end.

GROUND
The ground should be, if possible, one hundred feet long and
sixty feet wide, with clearly defined boundaries. Across the center of
the ground a rope or cord is stretched, head high, which divides the
ground into two equal courts. If desired, each court may be divided
into small squares, one for each player, to prevent mass play.

PLAYERS
The players are divided into two equal teams, each of which
scatters promiscuously over the court unless assigned to squares as
described above. The players in each team should be numbered
consecutively to facilitate rotation in serving. One officer will be
needed to act as umpire and scorer.

OBJECT OF GAME
The object of the game is to send the ball back and
forth across the stretched cord, striking it only with the fist. The
game is defensive; that is, the scoring is done by one party when the
opponents fail to return the ball or to keep it properly in play.

START
The ball is put in play by a regular serve at the opening of
the game, after each point scored, and after going out of play. The
players take turns in serving for their team, being numbered before
the game opens. The sides alternate in serving after a score.

The player who serves the ball should stand at a central point ten
feet from the dividing line, and may serve the ball in two ways. He
may bound it and bat it with the fist over into the opponents' court,
or he may hold it above his head, let go of it, and as it falls serve
it with his fist. The ball must go over the line to be in play. Should
a server fail in this, the ball must be handed to the opposite side,
which then has a trial. After a ball has otherwise gone out of play,
it is served anew by the side responsible for the failure.

RULES AND POINTS OF PLAY
The ball must cross into the opponents'
court above the cord to score or be properly in play.


A ball to score its highest (two points) must be returned after a
serve without bounding, although any number of players may hit it or
keep it in the air before sending it back over the line. A ball may
bound once before being returned and score less (one point). It is out
of play if it bounds twice without being hit between the bounds.

Several methods of play are permissible, but the rule is invariable
that the ball must always be hit with the closed fist, and always from
underneath, except for sending it across the line. It must reach the
opponents' court from a blow and not from a bound. Either fist may be
used in striking a ball, but never both at once. A player may
"dribble" the ball in the air before batting it over the line to the
opponents; that is, he may keep it in the air by hitting it from
underneath with his closed fist ("nursing" it) until he is prepared to
bat it with his fist. A ball hit with the forearm is considered
properly in play except for a service. Several players on one side may
play on the ball before sending it into the opponents' court. In doing
this the ball may bounce once after every time it is hit with the
fist.

A ball is out of play (1) when it passes under the line or touches the
line; (2) when it touches the ground twice in succession without being
hit between the bounds; (3) when it touches the ground outside the
boundaries from a blow; (4) when it bounds out of boundaries. Whenever
a ball is put out of play in these ways, it is sent back to the side
responsible for the failure, and they must put it in play again.

Whenever a side scores a point, the ball must again be put into play
with a regular serve, the sides taking turns in this, and each player
on a side serving in turn.

SCORE
The score is made by both sides and is for returning the ball.
If returned to the opponents without touching the ground, it counts
two points for those returning it. A ball which touches the ground
once before being hit back over the line scores one point. The game
consists of twenty-five points.

After each game the two sides exchange courts.

FOR LARGE NUMBERS it is very desirable to have two or more balls in
play at once. They are served simultaneously from opposite sides of
the ground, at the opening of the game. There should be one score
keeper for each ball.

FOR THE PARLOR
This game may be played in the parlor with a light
gas ball measuring four or five inches in diameter, or with a child's
gas balloon. The same rules apply as in other forms of the game.


Next: Football Tag

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